Organizers are calling the June 25 fundraising concert in Eden Mills a resounding success.
Young Japanese musicians won every heart in the packed community hall, and by the end of the evening, $3,200 was added to ongoing relief work in Japan caused by the winter’s earthquake and tsunami.
Solo guitarist Shohei Yamaki wowed the audience with his mastery of the acoustic guitar, playing everything from his own Sho’s Blues to his tribute to Sapporo, Windcity, with subtlety and speed, passion, and humour.
The Kyoto-based fulare_pad, the guitar-ukelele duo, built on a dynamic beginning with a rousing and energetic set in which the little ukulele ranged from rock to echoes of the ancient Japanese koto sound.
In the last set, vibraphonist Peter Appleyard paid a feeling tribute to his colleague and Eden Mills’ resident, beloved jazz trombonist Dave McMurdo, playing John Lewis’ Django and Getting Sentimental Over You.
He was then joined by the Japanese contingent for an exciting jam on his own “rock” tune Slambo.
In the audience was the director of the Sapporo International Jazz Festival, the organization that sponsors the competition for young musicians every year. Shohei and fulare-pad were last year’s winners.
“We appreciate very much Eden Mills’ generosity, and are happy that our musicians are forming a bridge between our countries.”
